Vol. IV — Electronics · Tool
A diode charges a capacitor to the crest of Vin, then the load slowly bleeds it. Ideal precision mode drops Vf to zero. Change Vin peak, Vf, C, Rload, and f — held peak and ripple update as you type.
Simple peak: series diode into C to ground, with Rload across C. On each crest the diode conducts briefly and tops the capacitor up to about Vin_peak − Vf. Between crests the load discharges C, so ripple ≈ I_load / (f · C) for a sine at frequency f (I_load ≈ Vhold / Rload). Diode peak current can spike — keep series resistance in real builds.
Precision / ideal: an op-amp + diode idealization cancels Vf, so the held peak tracks Vin_peak (or |Vin_peak|). Still educational — real op-amps slew and settle. Pair with the circuit explorer Diode and Capacitor lessons, RC time, and Op-amp gain.